As Manchester United prepare for a challenging trip to Anfield, manager Ruben Amorim has downplayed the significance of past results, insisting his players have “so much to win” if they perform well against Liverpool.
United’s record at Anfield over the past decade has been disappointing for supporters, with only one victory — a Wayne Rooney strike in 2016. Before that, Juan Mata’s stunning brace secured a 2–1 win in 2015.
When asked whether he would remind his players of those rare triumphs for motivation, Amorim explained that his focus remains firmly on the present rather than past glories.
“You have so many things to use with our players — like winning back-to-back games, creating momentum — and that can change everything. After we beat Chelsea, for instance, the mood throughout the week was completely different,” Amorim said at his pre-match press conference on Sunday.
“So, we have a lot to work with. I don’t think the players even remember those old games. Modern footballers don’t watch many matches, unfortunately. We have so much to focus on now — that’s not the difficult part.”
He continued: “We have so much to gain if we perform well and win the next game. I don’t need to use those old results as motivation. We just need to show the players what success now could mean for our future.”
The Portuguese manager stressed that his team are ready for the challenge and must begin strongly at Anfield, a stadium known for its intense atmosphere.
“We showed last year that we can handle these moments. The way we start the game is more important than the environment. Yes, it will be loud — they’ll get corners, chances — but we’re prepared to play through that,” Amorim said.
“In fact, if you look at last season, we sometimes performed better in that kind of atmosphere than under pressure at home.”
He highlighted the need for a composed and energetic start to prevent Liverpool from building early momentum.
“It’s crucial to start well — have a sharp warm-up, get the right feeling, and understand it’ll be tough in those opening minutes,” he added.
“I know the players are ready, but we must prepare for the intensity, especially at the start.”
Manchester United will hope their preparation pays off as they aim to end their long winless streak at Anfield and give their travelling fans a performance to remember.